Outward Bound

Best Washington Hikes

Hit the trail on 20 of the most spectacular and most accessible routes in the state.

07/02/2020 By Allison Williams, Craig Romano, and Seattle Met Staff

Turn the Tide

Don't Go to the Beach for Memorial Day

Most of Washington's ocean-facing shoreline is closed, so it's not quite time for beach blanket bingo yet.

05/21/2020 By Allison Williams

Winged Victories

It's the Perfect Time to Bird-Watch in Seattle

Peak avian migration time means the skies are full of songbirds.

05/06/2020 By Nicole Martinson

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Washington's Next Volcanic Eruption

When? Where? Are we ready?

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Mount St. Helens is Not a National Park

The volcano’s unique status makes upkeep complicated.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Journey Into the Crater of Mount St. Helens

A visit to the inner sanctum of a fitful volcano, as Bill Nye the Science Guy tags along.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

A Timeline of Mount St. Helens

An explosive history of a volcano that’s over the hill.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Visiting the South Side of Mount St. Helens: On Top of Old Smokey

Take a walk on the adventure side of the volcano. Keen athletes can spelunk underground, ski gentle slopes, or climb to the crater rim.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Visiting the East Side of Mount St. Helens: Otherworldly Escape

Intrepid explorers head a quiet region to score views of a hidden landscape, plus a chance to view remnants of the eruption.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Bill Nye, the Volcano Guy

Don’t underestimate the bow tie.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Here’s What You Need to Know about Outdoor Recreation during COVID-19

Should I wear a mask outside? Which trails should I avoid? Here’s our brief guide to outdoor etiquette in and around Portland.

By Julia Silverman
Published 07/10/2020

This Year, Grown-Ups Can Go to Sleepaway Camp, Too

Picture-perfect Oregon overnight camps are pivoting to offer socially distant family cabin rentals.

By Julia Silverman
Published 07/03/2020

Hotels in the Northwest Are Open, but Things Are a Little Different

Can you swim in the pool? Can you eat in the restaurant? With COVID-19, your vacation mileage may vary.

By Jordyn Mayer
Published 06/20/2020

Going Camping in Oregon in the COVID Era? Plan Ahead.

As Portlanders head for the hills, they’ll find a patchwork of campground closures and limited services.

By Margaret Seiler [email protected]
Published 06/19/2020

Portland’s Nearby Wilderness Areas Begin to Reopen

As of May 15, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest is back in business.

By Benjamin Tepler [email protected]
Published 05/15/2020

Summer Camp Is in Limbo, Just Like Everything Else

Will it be “Kumbaya” around a virtual campfire this year?

By Margaret Seiler [email protected]
Published 04/14/2020

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Mount St. Helens Wildlife: Don’t Call it a Comeback

Flora and fauna have more than returned to the destruction zone—they're thriving.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Art St. Helens: Creations Inspired by a Volcano's Destruction

Forty years on, the eruption still fuels evocative work. Plus: What's up with ash glass?

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Visiting the North Side of Mount St. Helens: Crater Crash Course

A road trip down a stunning highway leads to a well-appointed visitor center and easy hikes. Never been to the famous mountain? Start here.

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Guide to Mount St. Helens

Mount St. Helens: This Is 40

The 1980 eruption was the biggest volcanic event in recent American history. Four decades later, the mountain has more than moved on—it’s become a new and vi...

05/06/2020 By Allison Williams

Potty Plight

Hiking Trails Are Open! But What About Going to the Bathroom?

What to do when nature calls while you're socially distancing.

05/05/2020 By Allison Williams

Quarter Tank

Scenic Drives to Take Around Seattle

It’s like a road trip, but as a staycation.

04/29/2020 By Marisa Comeau-Kerege

Recreation jubilation

The Great Outdoors is Open for Business, Sorta

Hiking, boating, and fishing return to state lands, with restrictions; golf tees up, too.

04/27/2020 By Allison Williams

Foot Traffic Controller

Here Are the Streets We Wish Seattle Would Open for Pedestrians

The city’s Stay Healthy Streets adds six more miles. We have more ideas.

04/24/2020 By Seattle Met Staff

Basalt and Pepper

Ellensburg is the Center of the Earth (Or Washington, At Least)

The geologic wonderland of Central Washington finally gets a rock solid restaurant—and a friendly guide to the world famous landscape.

04/08/2020 By Allison Williams

Cabin Fever

How to Get Outside: An Updated Primer

We're all craving the great outdoors. Get the latest on how and where to get some nature.

03/16/2020 By Allison Williams

Find a Trail

Travel & Outdoors

Best Washington Hikes

Bill Nye, the Volcano Guy

Hiking Trails Are Open! But What About Going to the Bathroom?

The 15 Best City Trails in Seattle

Scenic Drives to Take Around Seattle

How Has the Coronavirus Shutdown Affected Air Quality?

Best Washington Hikes

Don't Go to the Beach for Memorial Day

It's the Perfect Time to Bird-Watch in Seattle

Washington's Next Volcanic Eruption

Mount St. Helens is Not a National Park

Journey Into the Crater of Mount St. Helens

A Timeline of Mount St. Helens

Visiting the South Side of Mount St. Helens: On Top of Old Smokey

Visiting the East Side of Mount St. Helens: Otherworldly Escape

Bill Nye, the Volcano Guy

Portland Monthly Travel

Here’s What You Need to Know about Outdoor Recreation during COVID-19

This Year, Grown-Ups Can Go to Sleepaway Camp, Too

Hotels in the Northwest Are Open, but Things Are a Little Different

Going Camping in Oregon in the COVID Era? Plan Ahead.

Portland’s Nearby Wilderness Areas Begin to Reopen

Summer Camp Is in Limbo, Just Like Everything Else

Mount St. Helens Wildlife: Don’t Call it a Comeback

Art St. Helens: Creations Inspired by a Volcano's Destruction

Visiting the North Side of Mount St. Helens: Crater Crash Course

Mount St. Helens: This Is 40

Hiking Trails Are Open! But What About Going to the Bathroom?

Scenic Drives to Take Around Seattle

The Great Outdoors is Open for Business, Sorta

Here Are the Streets We Wish Seattle Would Open for Pedestrians

Ellensburg is the Center of the Earth (Or Washington, At Least)

How to Get Outside: An Updated Primer

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